Pete Hegseth has warned that the current day will mark the “most intense” phase of the United States’ military campaign against Iran as the conflict between the two countries continues to escalate.
Speaking at a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth said the U.S. military would carry out its largest wave of strikes so far, involving more fighter jets, bombers and coordinated attacks than at any previous point in the war. He said the operations would use more refined intelligence and target key Iranian military capabilities.
The comments come about ten days into the conflict, which began when the United States launched large-scale strikes on Iranian military targets as part of a campaign aimed at weakening Tehran’s missile, drone and naval capabilities.
According to U.S. officials, the campaign has already struck more than 5,000 targets across Iran, including missile launch sites, drone facilities and naval assets. The strikes are intended to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten American forces, allies and shipping routes in the region.
Hegseth claimed that Iran’s military capabilities have been significantly degraded, saying missile attacks launched by Tehran have dropped sharply in recent days. U.S. military leaders say the strategy focuses on destroying Iran’s ballistic missile and drone networks, weakening its navy and preventing the country from threatening global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict has also raised global concerns about regional stability in the Middle East and its potential impact on energy markets and international security. Iran has carried out retaliatory strikes against U.S. and allied targets in the region, while tensions continue to ripple through global oil markets.
Despite the intensifying strikes, U.S. officials insist the campaign is designed to achieve specific objectives rather than evolve into a prolonged war.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump has suggested the conflict could end soon, though uncertainty remains over how the situation will develop in the coming days.
